What's your choice (and why) - Iceland or North Cape?

[Boris+]

If you had to make a choice between two cruises which would you choose - one going to Iceland and the other going to North Cape. What is of interest on the tours if you do the Iceland itinerary, and if you went for the North Cape is it just more of the same as Olden, Bergen etc?

Thanks

[Manoverboard]

Iceland is a very beautiful and dramatic place with the centre of the earth just a few steps away, it also has people, quaint coloured buildings and towns whereas the North Cape is isolated but does have some polar bears and a few wooden sheds ....

North Cape for the lights but Iceland would be, indeed was, my choice during the summer months.

[Meg 50]

North Cape is very different from the Fjords around Bergen, Geiranger etc.....

It is above the tree line and much more rugged

[Boris+]

Many thanks for your kind replies - I think that we were much minded to go for Iceland; but not until next year.

I had a look at the destinations description - but there is nothing there, and there are no outlines of excursions.

Once again many thanks.

Meg - if you are off soon, have a great time.

Em

[oldbluefox]

We haven't been to North Cape yet. We have been over to Ny Alesund which included a day in the Lofoten Islands. That cruise was well worthwhile just to experience the remoteness of these places and I would go again tomorrow.
Iceland was special in a very different way with its spectacular waterfalls, its landscape, its geysers and again, a different way of life. Again Iceland is a place I would happily revisit.
My recommendation is to do Iceland, you can't go wrong and then book up for Ny Alesund and North Cape.

[GillD46]

We were trying to decide between the same two but for my special birthday this June. In the end the guaranteed sun won and we booked a holiday in Barbados instead! But between those two, we would have opted for Iceland.

[gfwgfw]

Em

We had a splendid sojourn to Iceland a few years since . . and really enjoy the experience very much

We were surprised - then - of their high standard of living, however I do believe not so now

The Islanders were very uninhibited at the outdoor health spas

Done both, my vote goes to Iceland, for just the one visit

Regards to you and yours

Graham

ps . . . and the much beloved spent a pound short of £100 at our local Iceland store yesterday

[Princess]

Iceland. By far the best.
North Cape is great, but there is nothing much there!!

[Boris+]

Firstly -

Gill - I know I'm going to forget so before I go any further I hope you have a wonderful cruise and a truly lovely birthday.

Secondly - it's going to be Iceland I think - really looking forward to it, and doing all the research and preparation which is great fun.

Many thanks for all the replies - it's been very helpful and reassuring.

Graham - see you in early July!!!

Em

[GillD46]

Firstly -

Gill - I know I'm going to forget so before I go any further I hope you have a wonderful cruise and a truly lovely birthday.


Em

Thank you, but we decided against a cruise in favour of a holiday in Barbados, however we may choose a cruise some time next year.

[noddy10]

Would be Iceland every time for me went there last July on Arcadia for Grand Event and had a great time in the 3 ports we called at . We did North Cape years ago on Aurora stopping at Honningsvag and the port was not very inspiring and there was only 1 excursion available and that was drive up to North Cape which was pleasant enough with nice tourist shop and area with short film.

[Capt Black]

Iceland would be our choice, but that's because we haven't been there, but have been to North Cape.

Anyone know why P&O stopped going to Greenland? We would like to go there as well.

[oldbluefox]

I don't know why P&O stopped going to Greenland except that both ports were tender ports and the jetties where the tenders came in were rather lightweight and really more suited to landing fish catches than large numbers of passengers of varying ages and physical capabilities. There was a bit of a swell when we were there which made landing very difficult and precarious hence the tendering process was lengthy leading to long queues shoreside waiting to get back on.
I can only think that may be a reason, unless there is a political one, as we found Greenland a fascinating experience although there's not a lot there. However the icebergs were amazing.

[Branwen]

Done both and loved both but would definitely visit Iceland again

[Not so ancient mariner]

We've been to the North Cape twice, but not (yet) Iceland. We did book to go last year on Oriana, but I broke my ankle and had to cancel: so not surprisingly that is next on our list. When we called at Honningsvåg, there was a variety of tours available other than going to the North Cape. Watching Sea Eagles, and King Crab fishing were two, but I believe there were others.

[wolfie]

We found Greenland more interesting and scenic than anywhere else on our Greenland/Iceland/fjords cruise.

Maybe the weather had something to do with it; sunbathing in shorts on our balcony after our soujourn ashore in Greenland and the fact that Aurora had problems so we missed out on a great tour in Iceland.............and it was raining!

[Boris+]

I read somewhere that if people do the North Cape route they can go to a Post Office (?) and get a stamp in their passports to say that they have been in the Arctic Circle. Is there anything like that with the Iceland route - or is it just not far enough north? Silly question - but I have an irksome feeling I will be asked, so it's best to try and find out. Still fancy the Iceland cruise - which is sooner than the North Cape one which would slot happily into reserve position (just in case something crops up).

Em

[oldbluefox]

There is a post office in Ny Alesund which is reputedly the most northerly, Boris. I don't know whether that is what you were thinking of.

[Boris+]

Cheers OBF -

That's very helpful. It is possibly what I was thinking of - however that is going to be something to think about for the future. If all is well I think we'll be heading for Iceland.

Em

[noddy10]

You can get your post cards stamped at the Post Office in NY Alesund when you have bought and paid for your stamps there is a ink stamp on the side you can stamp your postcards but dont think you could stamp your passport with it.

[Not so ancient mariner]

One other place that amost all cruises to the North Cape visit, is Tromso. My favourite sailway is the southbound trip down the Fjord after leaving Tromso. Adonia is the only ship in the P&O fleet that is (just) small enough to get under the bridge from Tromso island to Kvaloysletta. When we went his way in 2011, it was Adonia's maiden season; - and they weren't taking any chances with clearances! While we were in Tromso, the crew removed the anemometer from Adonia's masthead to reduce her air draught by a few feet for an extra margin of safety: but we passsed under the bridge with room to spare.
Anyhow, on a clear evening, the view as you sail down this route is absolutely stunning. I can thoroughly recommend it.

[Boris+]

I just can't wait, and next year won't come quickly enough. After all those hours with the Head of Geography ranting on and on about Tromso and Trondheim I just want to see what it's all about.

However she also used to go on about Lake Titicaca (sp?) - and that is not quite on the same itinerary!

Em

[Mrs Pugwash]

I would love to go to both! Have them both on my bucket list